FZ31M - rebuild

Hi,

I've been reading through the forum and have bookmarked a number of very useful posts, but I wanted to post my proposal to see if I have understood enough so far!

I have a FZ31M and I have to say I've never liked it much, but I can't really warrant buying a new one when the spec of this should still be fine. So this is what I want to do:

• 
  Replace the (very full) 200gb HDD with a 500gb drive from somewhere like drivemylaptop as they seem to have a good selection. The process looks straightforward, just unscrewing the panel and replace the drive.

• 
  Install Vista. I've looked at Win7 but reading the posts I think that might cause me more issues. Problem is of course I don't have a disk so do I / Can I create a recovery disk of sorts and go from there with the new drive?

• 
  Increase Memory. It has 2gb RAM which I can upgrade to 4 again easily accessible from the bottom of the machine.

• 
  New battery. Like most of you, my battery died within weeks of getting the machine. The question is, if I use it at my desk most of the time and therefore with mains power plugged in wil I just fry a replacement?

So that's the plan. Does that make sense? Can I do all of that without too many issues? and ca anyone help with the questions asked?

Thanks

Pete

 

HDD is easy to replace,did twice first to 320 then 500G. I used Acronis to clone the original but if you want to install new dont think you will have issues with Windows 7 32bit and if you have some skills 64 bit. Vista is such rubbish.
If you go for 32 bit 4G RAM makes no much sense since only 3G will be used (I have 4 but only 3069 is actually used)
It is hard to find battery for this model . Someone on this forum replaced the cells which is interesting option. Anyway even new it last hardly 2 hours, mine is in fridge mostly.(actually using FZ without battery gives slightly better DPC values)

 

Hey aviray, thanks for the response!

I have a battery on order from ebay (bad idea?)

So a clean install of Win 7 64bit is worth a look? I'll do some ore reading. I'd say I have 'some' skills and understand a rreasonable amount and with he help of the guys o here it should be possible. Didn't I read that Win 7 was even harder on the battery?

Is it best to just go and buy a Win7 pack or install vista and use an upgrade pack?

Cheers

 

You will find the threads here with exact descriptions of all 3 options 32 upgrade,32 and 64 clean. Read them and decide for yourself. I dont see advantage of 64 unless at least 6G RAM is to be used, any of 3 options is better then other depending on needs/preferences.
Ebay= lottery, have OEM from Ebay on my SZ normally works more the 5 hours but sometimes, rarely indeed, drops suddenly and SZ goes into sleep. It was 60 Euro, Sony original is 400, so I consider it lucky draw.
For me FZ, F, AW and similar are desktop replacements and I dont even hope for usable battery life. That`s what SZ,Z,S,TZ are meant for.

 

If you do not want to rebuild your battery yourself than you can send it out to be rebuilt with higher capacity batteries at a considerable savings over a new one.

 

Well I've got the battery on order so I giuess I'll see what it's like but rebuilding it might also be an option in the future.

Ok so I've decided that I am going for the 500gb HDD, replace the 2x1gb RAM with 2x2gb modules (unfortunately this is the max the FZ31M will support so no option of 6gb) and a Win7 Ultimate upgrade (only ultimate because it is available on ebay at a good price).

Parts should arrive this week and a project for next weekend

Fingers crossed

 

That is interesting, not because of savings but wasting money buying ready made rubbish, possibly even dangerous junk. Any more info on the rebuilding? Any links, whatever , how to or companies that do it. I rather spend more on quality cells and know what I get. Ebay, online shops - my estimation would be that 1 out of 10 (or worse) you might get decent one.

 

I have W7 64 installed on my backup laptop, a FZ260 and installation was quick and painless. Running great without any problems

 

So, a final question (for now!). Given that I have a FZ31M with 2gb RAM, even if I upgrade it to 4gb (I've held of on ordering that so far) should I go for 32bit or 64bit Win7? aviray, you said you wouldn't go for 64bit unless you had 6gb, which I can't do. Can you expand?

Thanks

 

Well I've done it!

500gb HDD fitted - Very easy. So much easier than on older Vaios I have tried this on!
4gb RAM replacing the 2x1gb sticks - Again really easy
Windows 7 64 bit upgrade installed - Only one problem. The product key was not recognized but I reinstalled (as documented in the guide on here) and it worked perfectly.

Loaded some of the software and restored my data an things are looking good.

I think there are a few drivers I need to find and load so that's my next task, especially if there is one for the keyboard. When I first bought the Vaio the keyboard was terrible (key presses not registering, especially on double letters) but a reload of some driver or other seemed to fix it. Now back where I was on that .

Thanks for the help guys.

 

I don't think there is a specific keyboard driver.

Gary